The success of the M1 Mountain-type locomotives prompted the Pennsylvania Railroad to order 100 more locomotives of the 4-8-2 wheel arrangement in 1930, though several upgrades were incorporated in the new machines. The new locomotives became the M1a class and had a longer wheelbase than the M1's due to the addition of the Worthington feedwater heater.  They also received the new larger class 210F75 tenders, which became known as the coast-to-coast tenders.  The first 50 M1a locomotives (#6700 - 6749) were built by Baldwin; Juniata Shops (later known as Altoona Works) built the next 25 M1a's (#6750-6774), and the remaining 25 were built by Lima and numbered 6775-6799.

Starting in 1946, 41 of the M1a's received further improvements by increasing the boiler pressure and the addition of circulators to the firebox.  The improved M1a's became the M1b class.  The best way to tell them apart is to look for the circulators on the firebox, above the running boards - those round objects in a diagonal line that look like wash-out plugs.

The PRR 4-8-2's were considered to be the finest of the Pennsy's steam locomotives. They were designed as dual service locomotives and were put to the test hauling passenger trains, general freight, and in the end even the heavy ore trains, which there were never intended to pull.  They did it all in style!

These release includes two unlettered versions and three Pre-War and three Post 1946 road numbers. All come with factory installed DCC w/Sound.

Features:

• Heavy Die Cast metal chassis with ABS body
• Locomotive + Tender Length (coupler to coupler):  15.5 inches
• Locomotive weight: 1 lb 3 oz
• Equipped with traction tires.  Spare metal-wheel drivers included available
• Metal Kadee-compatible couplers (2)
• All-Driver drive and all wheel electrical pick-up except for pilot trucks/trailing trucks
• Separately applied handrails, ladders, whistle, and brass bell
• Operating cab roof vents
• Will operate on Code 70, 83, and 100 rail
• Recommended minimum radius: 18 inches
• Accurate prototypical sounds for PRR M1a/M1b
• BLI's latest sound & control system for DC and DCC
• Integral DCC decoder with Back EMF
• Precision drive mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
• 5-Pole can motor with skew wound armature
• Premium caliber painting with authentic paint schemes
• Prototypical light operation with golden white LED headlight, rear light
• Synchronized puffing smoke with each chuff sound
• Factory installed engineer and fireman figures
• Operates in DC & DCC (use DCMaster for DC sound)
• Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
• 16-bit sample rate for exceptional high frequency sound clarity
• Playback whistle for multiple whistle lengths and patterns
• Choice of 3 selectable horns
• Alternate whistle / horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
• Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
• Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
• Johnson Bar sound at direction change
• Passenger station ambient sounds - controlled with function key
• Freight yard ambient sounds - controlled with function key
• Lumber yard ambient sounds - controlled with function key
• Farm ambient sounds - controlled with function key
• Crew radio communications - controlled with function key
• Maintenance yard ambient sounds - controlled with function key
• Demo mode for display and demonstrations
• Grade crossing automatic signal
• Simple programming with Integral DCC decoder
• Automatic forward / reverse signal - when activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot.  When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice.  When moving in reverse. toots three times.
• Chuff sound intensity varies with load
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings

Reservations Due By: April 9, 2015

Expected Release: September 2015

JMP